ERBIL, IRAQ - SEPTEMBER 24:  Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani speaks to the media at a press conference on September 24, 2017 in Erbil, Iraq. President Barzani announced that the referendum will go ahead as planned. The Kurdish Regional government is preparing to hold the September 25, independence referendum despite strong objection from neighboring countries and the Iraqi government.  (Photo by Younes Mohammad/Getty Images)